When I reached the junction (photo 4) it became clearer as the given route has a footpath whereas Watery Lane doesn't. After leaving Furnace End, the route takes you along the Nuneaton Road and to a pathway leading you to Sandy Lane. Passing by the old toll house on the Nuneaton Road, a pathway then takes you past a random chimney without a house in a field. After you reach the road at Ballard's Green, the route then takes you through Arley Wood and then into Old Arley....

Steve Litchfield

The start point, a taxi shelter outside the main hall is a bit of a puzzle but the route navigates paths between car parks and passes a very useful toilet block, which offers the opportunity to refill water bottles....

David Sanderson

The whole walk is on tarmac except for a very brief section next to the HS2 works where the tarmac appears to have disappeared due to the construction work. Approximately two thirds of the walk is next to busy roads, with the remainder of the walk through the Cole Valley an 'oasis' within surburbia. Eventually after passing Alum Rock and Stechford, the walk enters an extremely welcome section away from the busy traffic and into the Cole Valley. It felt a shame to leave the Cole Valley behind and return to busy traffic on Cooks Lane and onwards into Coleshill....

Steve Litchfield

A reasonable portion of the route was on lanes, which although not busy on a Sunday in November (or least, only with cyclists), could be potentially a little dangerous as the grass verges were not always suitable to walk on....

LauraPD

The Cole River Walk third was a relief but was also a wide tarmacked path for its whole length, so that's 10 miles of hardness underfoot. But I whined on Twitter and David Sanderson who designed the walk defended it, saying it's unlike any other Slow Way, going as it does from the centre of the UK's second biggest city, all the way out, plus over four motorways, and the HS2 site, and right past the airport, and still manages a long stretch of lakes and river....

Hannah

Good direct route easy to follow Along pavements taking you past shops and pubs for stops if required...

Nigel Cull

Care is needed crossing the narrow bridge into Water Orton and crossing the A446 but overall a very good route. There are several pubs along the way and in Coleshill to choose from as well as shops in Walmley and Water Orton....

Mr Tippy

Having turned under Bordesley Railway Station you cross the inner ring road to join a road to take past St Andrews, Birmingham City's Football Ground and then on to Bordesley Green. City life hits you again at Bacon's End and you cross the road to join the pavement which takes you all the way to Coleshill. A Slow Way featuring city centre, inner city, city parks, nature reserves and historic village....

David Sanderson

Route was generally good but 4 areas where route was impassable and so a slight diversion was needed. See Colewoo Two for diversion....

agtaylor123

A few paths across farmers fields and some minor road walking....

agtaylor123

The walk out of Coleshill towards the station (Coleshill Parkway) actually accounts for a sixth of the walk! The centre of the village is pretty and historic and you cross a pedestrian bridge which runs parallel with a single lane road bridge for cars. You walk along a short section of the A446 and I'm pleased to report that crossing it, to gain access to Water Orton Road, taking you under the M6 Toll and M42 was actually easier than I though it would be. On the other side of the village is an old single lane bridge with spaces to step into....

David Sanderson

The route in Birmingham follows the route of the River Rea and then River Tame....

David Sanderson